Stephen King's The Mist (trailer link inside)

[ZFarms Productions]

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809834165/video/3906309/standardformat/

This. Movie. Will. Be. Awesome.

[Brandon Rice]

It does look good... notice they cross the line a few times in the edit? Strange, but effective in this IMO.

[Elton]

I've been wondering if this was ever going to be made into a feature. It's one of my favorite stories from Skeleton Crew.

Glad Darabont's directing it.

[indiraider]

still who would have liked better to see Darabont write Indiana Jones 4 instead. The script that Spielberg said that it was the best he read since Raiders of the Lost Ark..... Well I hope the script gets leaked so I could read the differences between the new film and Darabont version of the script.

[indiraider]

Also I find this film is going to be over clausterphobic, also I hope it isn't just another Blob film where everyone is suspicious of another; fighting over power. Has anyone read the novel?

[sean90291]

Really? Wow, I thought it looked awful. It sounded and looked like a cable movie. THe performances already felt over the top. The lighting was broad and uncinematic. If that's the best they got to show for it, I'll pass.

[Knoxworth]

Looks like it might be as good as Tremors 2. Hopefully King will write a few more novels about cars that come to life. (whoops, spoke too soon: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,352855_2,00.html )


The Mist, The Fog, The Reeker...... have they made a movie called "The Smell" yet?

[CallaghanFilms]

I've been wondering if this was ever going to be made into a feature. It's one of my favorite stories from Skeleton Crew...
Agreed. What a great fucking story! This is on the short list of King narratives that I have always secretly wanted to adapt to the big screen myself. Should be an A-ticket ride.

[J.R. Hudson]

It does look good... notice they cross the line a few times in the edit? Strange, but effective in this IMO.

The 180 Degree line ?

It's hard to tell in what context the scene is beiong played in a trailer whether or not it seems justifed.

But the line can crossed at many different times. It's a matter of knowing when one can get away with it.

[Brandon Rice]

Yep, I know, it just jumped out at me is all.

[J.R. Hudson]

You love me, just admit it.

[Brandon Rice]

Of course, but what does that have to do with a line jump in a trailer? ha ha

[J.R. Hudson]

lol !

[J.R. Hudson]

Okay

Saw this tonight; totally enjoyed it

Really intense mature sequences that deal with humans and how they can be. A really gnarly ending I never saw coming.

It isn't perfect so I'm gonna brace myself for all the whiners but it is a fun fun movie; a worthy horror film dealing with religion, panic, survival and other human elements.

The perfromances are awesome and it is the actors that stand out.

There were 3 scenes in particular that stood out; one which had people applauding in the theatre and 2 more that had the entire theatre speechless.

Regarding rhe ending; I really didn't think they'd go 'There'. Wow.

I'll own this one and will refrain from speaking of details until more reviews pour in.

A quote from a review I agree with:

Darabont's made what can best be called a grade-A B-movie, full of jolts and jumps and classic monster-movie tricks played out with old-school showmanship and thoroughly modern special effects.

[jpeck]

There seems to be a fair number of King fans who are upset with the ending because they wanted it to stay faithful to the novella. I believe King himself said that he likes the Darabont ending better than what he originally wrote.

For some reason it didn't seem to be playing today in Toronto, so I will check it out on Friday.

[Brandon Rice]

Going to see it sometime this weekend... looking forward to it.

[Brandon Rice]

Wow.... wow... wow... I finally got to see this film tonight....

This is one of the best "horror" flicks I've seen... though I wouldn't consider it horror.

[Brandon Rice]

I have been wanting to see this film since it opened last week, and finally got to see it tonight. Let me tell you, this is one of the most intense movies I have EVER seen.... the intensity wasn't cheesy either, it was REAL human drama going on... the actors were all very good, and well directed. Most of them I didn't recognize, but that's probably what made this film work even better... everything seemed so real. The only dings I had were that some of the CG was kind of weak... but I forgave it, as the story, acting, editing, and just about everything else was awesome! I was holding onto my seat in this one.... and the ending left me breathless... go see this film! I won't recommend it to younger audiences as it's got some bloody parts, and it's definitely intense throughout.

One of THE best, if not THE best horror film I've ever seen.

[Luis Caffesse]

Regarding rhe ending; I really didn't think they'd go 'There'. Wow.

I'm right there with you.
This film did that a few times to me - I thought I had it pegged from the start, and the story proved me (happily) wrong on quite a few occassions.... all the way up to the last minute. For good or for bad - its nice to see a movie that can still surprise you.

I enjoyed this one alot - though I don't think I can even come close to agreeing with Brice that its the 'best horror film ever'
But its definitely worth seeing.

[Kegan]

Hm, I guess I'm one of those "whiners". I tried to enjoy this movie, I really did. Parts of it, I was entertained and the acting was great...for the most part. Wasn't a big fan of how it was shot in the beginning - the angles just weren't doing it for me. I laughed at parts that should not have been funny though and thats just because of the completely unrealistic way the series of events unfolded.

I read Stephen King novels, but I haven't read this one. I want to know why there was so much development for the neighbor...for nothing. They always try to "shock" you with something like that, but maybe there was something more explained in the book.

The ending I thought was intense (if only for the controversial way in which it played out), but let's face it folks - it was pretty clear thats what was going to happen. Anybody else wonder why the ending music started 15 minutes before the last scene? One more gripe I had was the fade to blacks - they're okay when used sparingly but it was used throughout the whole movie! The only thing I thought was really well done was the acting, as that had some serious substance.

Just my opinion,

Kegan

[McLeish]

I too agree that those fade to black were used in excess, I almost got up thinking there was a commercial. I can't understand why it was shot with those damn zooms and shakey angles either. There was no implication of a video camera or even the level of 'grit' that would explain it, it was just weak style. Also did nobody find it frustrating how in their attempt to lengthen the piece to feature length they just shoved cliche plot inserts that only lasted maybe 5 minutes. The ending in concept is fine but I can't see anybody being convinced and/or at all affected by that guys hollering.
There were definately some fun and neat moments (beats a lot of garbage you could be watching right now), some interesting creature disigns, but a great movie this aint.

[Kegan]

Yeah, the yelling did nothing whatsoever for me - almost made me want to laugh aloud. It did seem to drag a bit as well.

-Kegan

[Elton]

I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I've read the novella twice. I too have a few quibbles about the camera technique; made me aware of the camera too much as it felt like it was a lot of zooming and focus hunting. Felt sloppy, but in a weird way I got used to it and accepted it halfway into the flick.

It's a fantastic adaptation that's probably slightly better than the book--just like Shawshank.

Tons of fun for what it is.

[J.R. Hudson]

SPOILERS



Hunter, you whiney bastid ! = )

The camera most definately stood out as as a bad idea; using The Shield crew to shoot those scenes. The fades were Carpenteresque to the max. I loved them.

I was really drawn into the moment when homeboy was 'screaming'. I mean, he just took out his kid, ya know ? Seems a plausible response.

My way to do it:

Killing everyone was ballsy by the filmmakers, not sure how someone saw it coming ? The allusion was there, but actually doing it was another thing alltogther.

I would have had those spider creatures crawling all over the car to where they had no choice but to pull the trigger, then, the Army would start rumbling in and they would scatter ...

I felt in simply pulling the trigger, while everyone was just chilling in the car in silence was premature.

[Brandon Rice]

The scream at the end made my stomach turn.

[Kegan]

SPOILERS

Haha, alright John - now I gotta respond!

Of course after taking out your kid, screaming is totally plausible...but if you were on the ground, screaming like that, why didn't any of the first soldiers stop and talk to him? It took a good few people to pass before someone actually stopped. Thats being really nitpicky, but another quick point about the shootings.

Is it just me or was that gunfire extremely fast? Don't forget, he had to shoot his kid, then the woman (both fairly fast gunshots), but he then he had to turn around and shoot the other two who were sitting on either side of the back seat. Maybe I was just being too critical.

It could have had a better ending though, but would it have been better because it would have been more socially acceptable or would it have just been more fitting? The man lost his wife and friends...losing his kid just emphasized how lost and alone he would be. My money's on the fact that the first gun he got his hands on he'd blow his brains out with, but thats just what I think.

Kegan

[J.R. Hudson]

I can dig that spin

The onl t thing I can think of on the soldiers, is that they are being soldiers. Seeing the death and carnage during the clean-up is moot for them. He's probably not the first person they have seen freaking out. They are on patrol to take out monsters, not stop and play humatarian ?

That's my angle.

[Elton]

My way to do it:

Killing everyone was ballsy by the filmmakers, not sure how someone saw it coming ? The allusion was there, but actually doing it was another thing alltogther.

I would have had those spider creatures crawling all over the car to where they had no choice but to pull the trigger, then, the Army would start rumbling in and they would scatter ...

I felt in simply pulling the trigger, while everyone was just chilling in the car in silence was premature.

I can see the fun in ratcheting up the terror with the bugs about to pounce, but I really appreciated the serene moment of clarity they had. Just hearing and suggesting that those things were nearby was enough.

It was a gloriously bleak existential moment of choice. With that impenetrable mist out there and having been through the madness at the supermarket, I think most people would've chosen not to suffer through being a spider meal.

[J.R. Hudson]

That's true Elton

In thinking about that, it may have worked better as they did it. The silence was creepy enough.

[Elton]

Btw, it was really cool choice to use a Dead Can Dance track for the final scene. (Host of the Seraphim)

****'in awesome.

And how cool was it in one of the opening scenes for the guy to have original artwork (presumably he designed it?) from Carpenter's "The Thing" in his studio!?

[Brandon Rice]

And how cool was it in one of the opening scenes for the guy to have original artwork (presumably he designed it?) from Carpenter's "The Thing" in his studio!?

I noticed that too! Pretty cool :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

[jpeck]

Btw, it was really cool choice to use a Dead Can Dance track for the final scene. (Host of the Seraphim)

I disagree completely, that song didn't sit well with me and made the final scene feel heavy handed.

I prefer hearing it while watching Baraka.

[rawfa]

Spoiler alert

I really like Darabont's work but I found many of the scenes to be way too predictable. It was very evident who would die and when. I even knew exactly HOW Marcia Gay was going to die. There's one thing I have to say though. This was the best most honest ending I've seen in a REALLY LONG TIME cough . I REALLY LOVED the fact Darabont had the balls to do what he did. For "28 days later"' (which I love) to have been perfect it should have had a similar end.

[spidey]

this movie was sloppy, stupid predictable and garbage. hated it.

[Mark Harris]

this movie was sloppy, stupid predictable and garbage. hated it.

Saw it last night. I have to agree. In general, I thought the writing could was pretty clunky.

Interesting that he had a poster of the thing on the wall, because I felt like that film had handle the human interactions in time of crisis, the distrust, etc in a much more graceful manner. This one felt contrived. And there was way too much exposition explaining things like: "Put more than two humans in a room..."

And...

================SPOILERS=====================














The ending with the tanks showing up like 2 seconds later was ridiculously ham-handed.

[spidey]

lol the ending was hilarious.

[ESTEBEVERDE]

Wanted to hate it but was pleasantly surprised.

[spidey]

most of the movie was like:

"What do we do?"
FADE TO BLACK
"We can survive"
FADE TO BLACK
"We're in trouble!"
FADE TO MONTAGE
"oh no"
FADE TO MONTAGE
"4 bullets, WAHHHHHHHH, aw tanks...."

[ZFarms Productions]

just got done watching the movie. i can honestly say i enjoyed the hell out of this movie. i didn't see the ending going that way, and was shocked by it. Darabont is the only person who should adapt Stephen King novels. Ever.

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

just got done watching the movie. i can honestly say i enjoyed the hell out of this movie. i didn't see the ending going that way, and was shocked by it. Darabont is the only person who should adapt Stephen King novels. Ever.
Really? I loved The Dead Zone.
Probably the best Stephen King adaptation.
I love Carrie and Christine as well.

[J.R. Hudson]

I agree Michael; those three films are in my best ever list.

Can't get enough of them !

[ZFarms Productions]

shit. forgot about carrie and christine. please don't shoot me, i haven't seen The Dead Zone yet... i've been meaning too though. the shining is probably my favorite adaptation of stephen king.

darabont is 3 for 3 as far as king adaptations. shawshank, green mile, and the mist.

[J.R. Hudson]

This thread inspired me to list my favs on my blog

Click it ! (http://www.cineobscure.com/stephen-king-the-best-and-worst-adaptions-of-his-work/)

[Michael Anthony Horrigan]

This thread inspired me to list my favs on my blog

Click it ! (http://www.cineobscure.com/stephen-king-the-best-and-worst-adaptions-of-his-work/)Nice work.
I have to say though.... I have a soft spot for Firestarter.

Not sure why... :)

[ZFarms Productions]

This thread inspired me to list my favs on my blog

Click it ! (http://www.cineobscure.com/stephen-king-the-best-and-worst-adaptions-of-his-work/)


Nice list John. I like the same films, but probably in a different order.

I can't figure out why I forget a lot of the older Stephen King adaptations... Misery, Christine, etc. Damn those were good.

[J.R. Hudson]

Firestarter was orginally suppossed to be helmed by JC; shame.

[Matt Sconce]

SPOILERS



Hunter, you whiney bastid ! = )

The camera most definately stood out as as a bad idea; using The Shield crew to shoot those scenes. The fades were Carpenteresque to the max. I loved them.

I was really drawn into the moment when homeboy was 'screaming'. I mean, he just took out his kid, ya know ? Seems a plausible response.

My way to do it:

Killing everyone was ballsy by the filmmakers, not sure how someone saw it coming ? The allusion was there, but actually doing it was another thing alltogther.

I would have had those spider creatures crawling all over the car to where they had no choice but to pull the trigger, then, the Army would start rumbling in and they would scatter ...

I felt in simply pulling the trigger, while everyone was just chilling in the car in silence was premature.


I agree at the premature-ness. SPOILERS
SPOILERS SPOILER SPOILERS SPOILERS











There is NO FREAKIN way that dad would have shot his boy if there was ANY chance of saving him. There was plenty of chance still. This was totally unbelievable and completely not fitting with his character.


My Impression of how the direction and character played out:

"I must save my son. I will do anything to save my son. Don't give up! We can all make it! We can fight! Oh wait, we're out of gas. Obviously that means we are completely without hope (thick sarcasm). You know what...since we are out of gas and the director wants something shocking to get people talking and increase sales, lets throw all of our character arcs to the wind and I'll just kill my son and you other old people too! Oh...and you can't get your money back..."

:nads:

[A.A.]

I liked the ending. Been a LOOONG time since I saw an ending that bold before. Really I think the best way to end a horror film is to make it worst possible ending for the characters.


SPOILERSSS!!


Though now that you mentioned it...Maybe it would be more like the character if they had stayed inside the car for a while trying to think of a way out, and as they started to dehydrate and starve, the dad will realize nothing was going to save them and in order to keep his promise to his son, he'll kill him before the monsters eventually do. Better than to die from dehydration/starvation. I like the tension, the silence before he did it. Cause the audience (well I was) thinking: No! No don't do this! Not yet! This can't end like this!


I wouldn't rush it with more action.

Edit: Though now thinking about it, if it was done right...and done as if it looked like he was going to shoot the spiders then suddenly shoots everyone, so suddenly that no one sees it coming, and then just him waiting to die by the monsters just to be saved by the army...that's pretty damn good too...

[Jared Meyer]

Spoilers (The knowledge of which couldn't possibly make this movie any worse than it already is.)

I was really looking forward to this and wow, is this bad. Wow.

Hated the stilted cheesy dialogue which was apparent from the first line
Hated the ridiculous and illogical characters (especially the fanatic played by Marcia Gay Harden who irritated me to no end)
Hated the poor pacing
Hated the plasticky cgi
Hated the numerous fades to black
Hated the completely unmotivated camera work - the jerky zooms and searching focus were totally out of place
Hated the way too rapid conversion of the grocery store shoppers to psychopathic cultists
Hated the weepy choral music as the Land Rover drives past the grocery store

and I hated, hated HATED the stupid ending.

Oh bummer, we're out of gas? Well I guess we could wait until the monsters are swarming all over us before doing something drastic - naw, I'll off everybody right now. In less than 4 seconds. And then bleat about it in one of the weirdest portrayals of grief ever. And as a bonus, the tanks will roll by 2 seconds later? Get it? It's ironic!

Grrr....I'm kind of irritated at how bad this was. I expected so much more, but at the very least a decent movie, which this was not.

[ugafan]

i have mixed emotions on this film. it was entertaining at times, but also maddeningly frustrating.

*SPOILERS*

my biggest problem is that many of the people made completely unrealistic decisions.

--the psycho zealot is able to convert almost the entire store after only a couple of days?
--the neighbor still thinks it's a joke despite numerous people telling him otherwise. didn't he hear the screams of a man dying just hours earlier? didn't he feel the store shake as the mist came over?
--why are they just standing around the pharmacy after getting the meds? anyone ever think of running?
--the father is willing to risk his life to get antibiotics for a severely burned and obviously dying joe, but shoots his own son as soon as he runs out of gas. WTF?

i like films about a group of people surviving against the odds so that aspect was entertaining for me. it was just frustrating that the decisions people made were so ridiculous.

[LuckyStudio 13]

The only thing that worked for me was the religious zealot. They played it so well that you really wanted to get rid of her ASAP. Other than that, the ending was weak for me. I enjoyed 1408 so much more than the mist.

[J.R. Hudson]

This film kicked asss; pure popcorn, B Movie horror

Fun fun fun

[Wild Imagination Films]

Hudson, I'm with you a hundred percent.
I read some of the pre-hate on this film and then I got to see it. SO, maybe I wasn't expecting anything. I thought it was great fun and got creeped out and grossed out and everything else. I didn't want it to end the way it did and it did anyway. Damn! Didn't really like the screaming. Mel Gibson gave one of the two best portrayals of grief I've ever seen in Ransom and Ewan McGregor at the end of Moulin Rouge. So, kinda hard to beat those two.
As for the rest of the film, I haven't enjoyed anything as much from Hollywood in a long time.

[Steve Laramie]

the most messed up ending iv ever seen

[Batutta]

Solid Flick. Nothing new, but well done for the most part. Effects a little dodgy in places. I think less of the creatures would have been scarier. The Mist should have been like the ocean in Jaws, with monsters only popping out occasionally to snatch people. I think they got too explicit towards the end and it ruined the mystery. As mentioned, the scariest part of the film by far was the religious zealot.

[J.R. Hudson]

I agree Batutta

The first creature (the tentacles) were not convincing at all and gave away too much too soon. The JAWS approach would have worked very well.

(The ending still pisses me off)

[Steve Laramie]

I think it would have been better if they didnt reveal the creatures till later in the film.

[c.g._eads]

I enjoyed this movie. The only problem I had with it is that every single one of Steven King's horror stories is exactly the same. There's monsters. And then there's this religious element opposing it that's never quite thought out.

But I thought the movie was really cool. I tend to like anything where people are stuck in one area. It always creates the best conflict.

Once the monsters started getting really big, I was so into it. The ending didn't bother me too much. It was a brave ending, but probably would've resonated more had the tanks never showed.

[karapetkov]

Liked it a lot. Some situations didn't feel very well motivated.

The ending was good, but the whole army showing up in its epic glory just after the protagonists felt the ultimate desperation? Not very realistic.

Maybe just a few soldiers, revealing that an end to this was actually coming.

And the lead male actor wasn't all that good, I'm afraid.

Anyway, just my 2 (euro)cents.

Pretty good movie.